BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine whether the tailored homedelivered meal (HDM) services included nutrition counseling impacts alleviating self-rated frailty among low-income older adults in Korea. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Pre- and post-test were implemented on May 27 and on November 25 in 2019 during 3 weeks, respectively, before and after the 6 months intervention program.Participants completed a questionnaire measuring frailty, malnutrition, food security, depression, and underlying diseases. Initially, 136 older adults were selected as participants for this study, they were recipients of a free meal program from 2 senior welfare centers in Seoul, the final sample size of those who completed the intervention program was 117 (female 70.9%, male 29.1%). Statistical analyses were conducted with IBM SPSS package program, paired t-test and χ 2 test to validate the test. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences in the score of the Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI) before and after receiving the tailored HDM services (pre-test 9.46, post-test 2.8, P < 0.01). The differences in the score of TFI by 3 risk groups at the pre-test decreased as a result of receiving these services. CONCLUSIONS The tailored HDM services alleviated the self-rated frailty of low-income older adults with limited mobility in a community setting. Based on the positive outcomes this study could be applied to developing social services for aging in place.

Hyperoxaluria is a disorder associated with an increased risk of renal stones, one of the mostcommon conditions. For people with hyperoxaluria, there are a limited number of effectivetherapeutic options. The aim of this study was to examine whether an oxalate-degrading enzyme, oxalate decarboxylase (OxdC), can inhibit crystallization of calcium oxalate (CaOx) in vitro, and whether it can prevent nephrolithiasis caused by CaOx induced by ethylene glycol (EG) in rats. When OxdC was applied at various concentrations to CaOx in vitro, there was a significant reduction in the crystallization of CaOx. The OxdC was found to inhibit crystal for-mation as well as the formation of crystals that had sharp edges. In animal experiments, ratsthat had been treated with EG showed impaired renal filtration functions, as well as increaseddeposition of CaOx crystals and the creation of kidney stones. It has been found that oral administration of OxdC to rats with chronic EG-induced nephrolithiasis that is characterized byCaOx intratubular crystal deposits with hyperoxaluria dramatically reduces the severity of thedisease. The results of this study point to a potential therapeutic approach for treating human hyperoxaluria as well as CaOx nephrolithiasis that could be achieved by the oral administra-tion of OxdC.

Hyperoxaluria is a disorder associated with an increased risk of renal stones, one of the mostcommon conditions. For people with hyperoxaluria, there are a limited number of effectivetherapeutic options. The aim of this study was to examine whether an oxalate-degrading enzyme, oxalate decarboxylase (OxdC), can inhibit crystallization of calcium oxalate (CaOx) in vitro, and whether it can prevent nephrolithiasis caused by CaOx induced by ethylene glycol (EG) in rats. When OxdC was applied at various concentrations to CaOx in vitro, there was a significant reduction in the crystallization of CaOx. The OxdC was found to inhibit crystal for-mation as well as the formation of crystals that had sharp edges. In animal experiments, ratsthat had been treated with EG showed impaired renal filtration functions, as well as increaseddeposition of CaOx crystals and the creation of kidney stones. It has been found that oral administration of OxdC to rats with chronic EG-induced nephrolithiasis that is characterized byCaOx intratubular crystal deposits with hyperoxaluria dramatically reduces the severity of thedisease. The results of this study point to a potential therapeutic approach for treating human hyperoxaluria as well as CaOx nephrolithiasis that could be achieved by the oral administra-tion of OxdC.

Hyperoxaluria is a disorder associated with an increased risk of renal stones, one of the mostcommon conditions. For people with hyperoxaluria, there are a limited number of effectivetherapeutic options. The aim of this study was to examine whether an oxalate-degrading enzyme, oxalate decarboxylase (OxdC), can inhibit crystallization of calcium oxalate (CaOx) in vitro, and whether it can prevent nephrolithiasis caused by CaOx induced by ethylene glycol (EG) in rats. When OxdC was applied at various concentrations to CaOx in vitro, there was a significant reduction in the crystallization of CaOx. The OxdC was found to inhibit crystal for-mation as well as the formation of crystals that had sharp edges. In animal experiments, ratsthat had been treated with EG showed impaired renal filtration functions, as well as increaseddeposition of CaOx crystals and the creation of kidney stones. It has been found that oral administration of OxdC to rats with chronic EG-induced nephrolithiasis that is characterized byCaOx intratubular crystal deposits with hyperoxaluria dramatically reduces the severity of thedisease. The results of this study point to a potential therapeutic approach for treating human hyperoxaluria as well as CaOx nephrolithiasis that could be achieved by the oral administra-tion of OxdC.

Objectives: This study investigated the relationship between living arrangements and metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk in the adult population in the Republic of Korea. Methods: The samples were derived from the data collected during the second year of the seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The study targeted a total of 6,265 adults who were aged 20 years and above, and multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted. Living arrangements were classified into 4 categories: single-person households, 1-generation households, 2-generation households, and other family types. MetS was identified by the presence of at least 3 out of the 5 National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. Results: For men, the odds ratio (ORs) for MetS in 1- and 2-generation households, comparedto single-person households, were 0.92 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.55–1.54) and 0.97 (95% CI, 0.58–1.62), respectively. The OR for other types of households was 0.96 (95% CI, 0.79–1.17). For women, the OR for MetS in 1- and 2-generation households, compared to single-person households, were 1.52 (95% CI, 1.15–2.01) and 1.29 (95% CI, 1.01–1.67), respectively. Conclusion Our study suggests that a national strategy involving tailored interventions for women living in high-risk conditions is necessary to reduce the risk of MetS in Korean women.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of the present study was to evaluate demographic and clinical factors that affect the intention to participate in commonly-conducted research in patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: Thirty-four outpatients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia were enrolled in this study. They were asked whether they would have any intention to participate in four imaginary studies: a simple questionnaire, a genetic study, a study of complex tasks and a risky study. We analyzed the differences in general psychopathology, insight and demographic characteristics of the participants according to their responses (acceptance or refusal) to the four proposed studies. RESULTS: Younger and better-educated patients tended to decline participation in a risky study. Patients with a longer duration of regular psychiatric follow-ups tended to willingly participate in the simple questionnaire. There were no overall statistical differences in general psychopathology and insight between patients who agreed or declined to participate in studies. CONCLUSION: Age and education level may be factors that influence decisions to participate in schizophrenia studies. Further research is needed to confirm and expand on the current findings.
Demography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Informed Consent ; Intention ; Outpatients ; Patient Participation ; Pilot Projects ; Psychopathology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Research Subjects ; Schizophrenia

Genome-wise association studies (GWASs) have become popular approaches to identify genetic variants associated with human biological traits. In this study, we applied Structural Equation Models (SEMs) in order to model complex relationships between genetic networks and traits as risk factors. SEMs allow us to achieve a better understanding of biological mechanisms through identifying greater numbers of genes and pathways that are associated with a set of traits and the relationship among them. For efficient SEM analysis for GWASs, we developed a procedure, comprised of four stages. In the first stage, we conducted single-SNP analysis using regression models, where age, sex, and recruited area were included as adjusting covariates. In the second stage, Fisher's combination test was conducted for each gene to detect significant genes using p-values obtained from the single-SNP analysis. In the third stage, Fisher's exact test was adopted to determine which biological pathways were enriched with significant SNPs. Finally, based on a pathway that was associated with the four traits in common, a SEM was fit to model a causal relationship among the genetic factors and traits. We applied our SEM model to GWAS data with four central obesity related traits: suprailiac and subscapular measures for upper body fat, BMI, and hypertension. Study subjects were collected from two Korean cohort regions. After quality control, 327,872 SNPs for 8842 individuals were included in the analysis. After comparing two SEMs, we concluded that suprailiac and subscapular measures may indirectly affect hypertension susceptibility by influencing BMI. In conclusion, our analysis demonstrates that SEMs provide a better understanding of biological mechanisms by identifying greater numbers of genes and pathways.
Adipose Tissue ; Cohort Studies ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Quality Control ; Risk Factors

PURPOSE: This study attempts to examine the extent to which competencies were identified in a Korean community nursing practice based on the 11 core competencies required by US health nurses. METHODS: This was a descriptive research study, and the subjects of this study were 11 students who were in a four-year nursing course. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire from October 19 to November 22, 2016. RESULTS: Core competencies in total were practiced in 60.0% to 98.5% of schools in Korea. Among these, competencies corresponding to the practice level of ‘high’ were identified as ‘communicating effectively with community nursing subjects and colleagues, and accepting various personal characteristics without criticism or prejudice’. On the other hand, competencies corresponding to the practice level of ‘low’ were identified as ‘to comply with social justice, public good, public health principles, and leadership in a community nursing practice’. CONCLUSION: This study can be used as a resource to categorize the competence of nursing students expected in the field of community nursing. Based on a careful review of core competencies with low practice, it is necessary to seek specific practical strategies to strengthen these competencies in the future.
Community Health Nursing* ; Hand ; Humans ; Korea ; Leadership ; Mental Competency ; Nurses, Public Health* ; Nursing ; Public Health Nursing ; Public Health* ; Social Justice ; Students, Nursing

Naturally occurring coumarin compounds have received substantial attention due to their pharmaceutical effects. Esculetin is a coumarin derivative and a polyphenol compound that is used in a variety of therapeutic and pharmacological strategies. However, its effect on aldose reductase activity remains poorly understood. In this study, the potential beneficial effects of esculetin on lenticular aldose reductase were investigated in galactose-fed (GAL) rats, an animal model of sugar cataracts. Cataracts were induced in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats via a 50% galactose diet for 2 weeks, and groups of GAL rats were orally treated with esculetin (10 or 50 mg/kg body weight). In vehicle-treated GAL rats, lens opacification was observed, and swelling and membrane rupture of the lens fiber cells were increased. Additionally, aldose reductase was highly expressed in the lens epithelium and superficial cortical fibers during cataract development in the GAL rats. Esculetin reduced rat lens aldose reductase (RLAR) activity in vitro, and esculetin treatment significantly inhibited lens opacity, as well as morphological alterations, such as swelling, vacuolation and liquefaction of lens fibers, via the inhibition of aldose reductase in the GAL rats. These results indicate that esculetin is a useful treatment for galactose-induced cataracts.
Aldehyde Reductase* ; Animals ; Cataract ; Diet ; Epithelium ; Galactose ; Membranes ; Models, Animal ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rupture

Purpose: This study investigated changes in attitudes toward marriage and childbearing assuming a BRCA1/2 mutation carrier status among healthy, unmarried individuals in Korea. Methods: A nationally representative sample of healthy, unmarried individuals aged 20–39 years was surveyed. A questionnaire on marriage and childbearing intentions was administered to the participants before and after providing them with information on BRCA1/2 mutation carriers’ breast and ovarian cancer risks and their autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. The participants were asked about their attitudes toward childbearing through preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). Results: Of the participants who initially wanted to marry, the assumption that they or their partners had BRCA1/2 mutation caused 25.3% to no longer want to get married and 36.2% to change their attitude from wanting to bear children to no longer wanting them. Females were more likely than males to change their attitudes toward marriage and childbearing. The participants who had negative attitudes toward genetic testing were more likely to change their attitudes regarding marriage and childbearing than those who were favorable toward both disclosure and testing. More than 50% of the participants who did not want children were willing to bear children through PGD when it was assumed that they were BRCA mutation carriers. Conclusion On the assumption of being carriers, general, young, and healthy females were more likely than males to negatively change their attitudes toward marriage and childbearing. Public education on the implications of living with mutation carriers and reproductive options may be required.